San Francisco, Aug 16 Apple's use of mini-LED panels in its forthcoming MacBook lineups will catalyse supplier investment and push the entire industry toward adoption of the display technology, a report said on Monday.
Like the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Apple's upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros are expected to feature mini-LED displays.
In his latest investor note, seen by MacRumors, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said this will stoke strategic supplier investment in the technology, which will allow Apple to diversify supply risk and bring down production costs.
The redesigned 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models due this year are expected to feature next-generation Apple silicon chips, the removal of the Touch Bar, the return of the MagSafe magnetic power cable and an overall new design with a HDMI port and SD card slot, the report said.
Kuo believes that Apple is already "actively looking for second suppliers of key Mini LED components," and if its mini-LED notebooks receive positive feedback, other notebook makers and their suppliers will inevitably be pushed towards adoption of the technology.
Apple is also developing a thinner and lighter version of the MacBook Air that will have thinner bezels than the current model. Rumours suggest it will have a 13-inch mini-LED display, which will be an upgrade over the existing MacBook Air's display, as per the report.
In a previous investor note, Kuo said the 2022 MacBook Air models will be available in "several colour options," likely similar to the colours of the 24-inch iMac.
Looking ahead to 2023, Kuo singles out Apple's work on micro-LED technology as the next major display market disruptor, the report said.
Though the names are similar, there are notable differences between micro-LED and mini-LED displays, it added.
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